Protecting The Legal Rights Of Texas’ Elderly Residents
In recent years, Texas nursing homes have been the subject of both public and political scrutiny. Because these facilities are critically underfunded, elderly residents are living in poor conditions and suffering abuse from overwhelmed and inexperienced caretakers. Federal nursing home regulations state that “the resident has the right to be free from verbal, sexual, physical, and mental abuse, corporal punishment, and involuntary seclusion.” Unfortunately, there are over 2 million cases of nursing home abuse reported in the United States each year. In fact, when rating poor living conditions, terrible care services, and reports of abuse and neglect, Texas nursing homes annually rank as the worst in the nation. Each month, families pay Texas nursing homes thousands of dollars to provide their elderly loved ones with round-the-clock attention and medical care services. If your loved one has experienced abuse or neglect while in the care of a nursing home facility, you have a legal right to help them pursue justice. Contact the Plano nursing home abuse attorneys at the Zendeh Del Law Firm, PLLC, to explore your legal options. We can investigate your case and develop a customized litigation strategy that can be used in court. With our guidance, you can recover damages that provide for your loved one’s physical and financial recovery. Equally important, you can prevent future cases of abuse by holding nursing home staffers accountable for their actions.
Defining Abuse & Neglect
Elderly residents are extremely vulnerable to acts of manipulation and abuse. Sadly, most incidents of abuse go unreported because patients are afraid of their exploitative caretakers. In certain cases, residents may lack the mental capabilities to even realize they’re being mistreated. As a result, most claims are filed by concerned family members who witness acts of abuse and take immediate legal action. Before you file a claim, it’s important to understand what constitutes “abuse” and “neglect.” For example, despite misconceptions, abuse isn’t just a physical action; caretakers can be guilty of emotional and financial abuse as well. In fact, financial exploitation is one of the most common and devastating forms of elderly abuse. Signs of financial exploitation include, but are not limited to:
- Stealing a resident’s identity
- Missing checkbooks or credit cards
- Unpaid pharmacy or housing bills
- Theft of assets or property
- Unexpected changes to an estate plan
- Forged signatures
- Empty bank accounts
- Questionable charges on credit cards
Signs of physical abuse include, but are not limited to:
- Improper use of restraints
- Broken bones
- Cuts and lacerations
- Suspicious bruises
- Skin discolorations
- Sprains
- Sexual abuse
Signs of emotional abuse include, but are not limited to:
- Intimidating the resident
- Humiliating the resident
- Threatening the resident
- Insulting the resident
- Intentionally isolating the resident
- Yelling at the resident
- Blaming the resident
Signs of neglect include, but are not limited to:
- Unsafe living conditions
- Soiled clothing
- Unusual weight loss
- Medication errors
- Poor hygiene
- Malnourishment
- Dehydration
- Bed sores
- Being improperly dressed
- Intense anxiety
- Depression
You need to trust your instincts above all else when it comes to protecting your family. If you suspect that your loved one is suffering abuse, it’s important to remove them from the nursing home immediately. If you’re uncertain, you can always visit your elderly relative frequently to ascertain their physical and mental condition. Take note: it’s important to visit at different times of the day so caretakers can’t plan for your arrival. You can also talk to other residents and visiting families to learn about their personal experiences and the facility’s employees.
Schedule A Consultation Today
If you require legal representation, please don’t hesitate to contact the Plano nursing home abuse attorneys at the Zendeh Del Law Firm, PLLC, During your consultation, we can review your case and thoroughly explain your legal options. While you focus on helping your loved one recover, we can conduct a personal investigation into the facility and effectively handle every legal detail of your case.